Foster Trophy
| Foster Trophy | |
|---|---|
| Awarded for | Winning the ArenaBowl |
| Location | ArenaBowl (rotates cities) |
| Country | United States |
| Presented by | Arena Football League |
| First awarded | 1992 |
| Currently held by | Philadelphia Soul |
The Foster Trophy is the trophy given to the ArenaBowl champion.[1] It was first awarded in 1992, and has been used since.[1] It is named after Jim Foster, one of the founding members of the Arena Football League.[1]
History
The bas-relief football players on the trophy were originally sculpted in Azbro Wax by Massachusetts sculptor James Linehan for the company New England Pewter. In 2004, the design was modified by Zweigle Advertising, INC. of St. Louis Park, Minnesota.[1]
When the San Jose SaberCats won Arena Bowl XVIII, the franchise ceased operations just months later. After disbanding, the franchise kept the Foster Trophy, not returning the property to the league. Thus, the AFL began handing out a new and smaller version of the trophy.
Appearance
The trophy stands 28 inches tall, weighs 60 lbs and is worth nearly $50,000.[1] A 16-inch hand crafted hard wood column finished in stain black ebony holds the AFL Championship Bowl. The black ebony column is accented with inlaid vertical Sterling Silver and two surface mounted horizontal Sterling Silver bands that are engraved with the words, "Character, Commitment, Excellence and Teamwork." Affixed to the front of the column is the AFL logo. The base of the trophy is made of American Walnut and features a Sterling Silver band that will be engraved with every ArenaBowl Champion.[1]